1. Mary
The story of a woman anointing Jesus with perfume appears in all four Gospels, but it is important to clarify the identity of this woman. In Matthew, Mark, and John, the event involving nard perfume just before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is specifically attributed to Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, as her name is explicitly mentioned in John. In contrast, Luke 7 describes a similar event, but the woman is simply called “a sinful woman”.
Although some people consider these two events to be the same due to certain similarities, the differences in the subsequent dialogue suggest that it is more accurate to view them as separate incidents. This distinction matters because it shapes our understanding of who Mary is. The sinful woman in Luke is often interpreted as a prostitute, and if she were equated with Mary of Bethany, then Mary would also be seen as a prostitute. However, if we treat these as two distinct events, then the women are entirely different individuals, and Mary of Bethany stands out as a woman of faith remembered wherever the Gospel is preached. While the idea of a former prostitute being praised for her repentance is moving, there is insufficient evidence to support this identification, so it is best to regard the two women as separate for now.
Additionally, some traditions merge Mary of Bethany with Mary Magdalene, but there is no solid biblical basis for this view. Therefore, it is most reasonable to treat them as distinct characters—possibly identifying the sinful woman with Mary Magdalene, but understanding Mary of Bethany as a different person altogether.
2. Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot’s decision to betray Jesus may seem puzzling, whether or not one is familiar with the Bible. This sense of unfamiliarity is intentional. The reasoning behind this portrayal will be further explained in the discussion about Judas’s suicide later in the narrative.
